PNC beats estimates, bests banking rivals

* PNC EPS $1.00; Street view 31 cents

* PNC stock up 13.5 pct

* SunTrust, Fifth Third, Huntington Bancshares post losses

* Some banks see delinquencies easing

By Juan Lagorio

NEW YORK, Oct 22 (Reuters) - PNC Financial Services Group (PNC.N) reported far-better-than-expected quarterly earnings on Thursday as credit quality deterioration eased and investment gains increased, sending its shares up more than 13 percent.

But regional peers SunTrust Banks Inc (STI.N), Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB.O) and Huntington Bancshares (HBAN.O) were all in the red in the third quarter as credit losses rose and they set aside more money to cover bad loans.

Pittsburgh-based PNC forecast its credit costs would decline faster than those of its rivals as the U.S. economy recovers.